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Changing Words: read most informative and fun etymology book yet

Steinmetz, Sol. (2008). Semantic antics: how and why words change meaning. New York: Random House Reference. A great book on the shift of word meanings over time in the English language. In addition to the generous glossary of stories of specific words, the “Introduction,” (pp. vii- xiii) is an excellent, succinct summary of the subject.

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Berlioz’s Requiem a great triumph at Verizon Hall

The  June 18 performance of the Requiem by Hector Berlioz was perhaps the best performance I have seen at Verizon Hall. The music is powerful, and has great variety that flows from soft moments to all-out rapture. The Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5 (or Requiem) by Hector Berlioz was composed in 1837  to remember soldiers who died

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Proofreading Tips

While it is advisable for everyone to have someone else proofread his or her work, sometimes that is not possible or practical. When you find yourself in this situation, consider the following tips: One strategy that works well is to go through the document paragraph by paragraph or even sentence by sentence  in reverse order. That is, start by

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Fresh, Stunning Novel by Mark Budman: My Life At First Try

Budman, Mark, (2008).  My Life at First Try: a Novel. Washington: Counterpoint. At first it was the structure that stood out to me. Short sections that break the story up into trim, well-crafted sections. Virtually any of the sections could be enjoyed as a stand-alone work. This is Mark Budman’s best achievement here: muscular sentences

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Alphabet Juice: The Stand-up Linguist Comedian

Blount, R., (2008). Alphabet Juice: the energies, gists, and spirits of letters, words, and combinations thereof; their roots, bones, innards,piths, pips, and secret parts, … with examples of their usage foul and savory.New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Blount is certainly knowledgeable about the English language. I can say I learned a great deal from

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